Council Tax Discount

londonessexlads

Hi,

I have been living with my partner for 5 yrs and we have been having problems with the council and repairs etc. I have finally had enough and started to get 'tough' with the council.

I have just had a letter from the council regarding my complaints and at the bottom they had a paragraph saying that they have checked our council tax. Apparently we have been claiming a 25% discount saying only one person lives in the property. We have never claimed this and have always stated on all forms etc that two people live here.

The council claim they have passed on this information to the tax people.

I'm a little worried as to whats going to happen and what we need to do.

Can anyone help please?

hodgester

check your previous bills to see if this is correct. If bothof you are on the account then I find it hard to believe that the authority could award a discount though they say they have. If you have had the discount then you're in trouble, as they can reclaim the money which will probably be about £1k. If you're really unlucky they will demand it immediately. The bill each year states that if there are any errors or changes in circumstances on it then you are duty-bound to inform the authority within 21 days. It is an offence not to.

Check their facts and then prepare to stand on the back foot for a while and try to negotiate with them.